DO YOU HAVE A FOR COLLEGE?

September 2016 OKLAHOMA’S OFFICIAL GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR COLLEGE DO YOU HAVE A FOR COLLEGE? High School Juniors and Seniors WHAT'S YOUR Right n...
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September 2016

OKLAHOMA’S OFFICIAL GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

DO YOU HAVE A FOR COLLEGE?

High School Juniors and Seniors

WHAT'S YOUR

Right now, college probably seems a million miles away. But NOW is the best time to start making plans for what happens after high school. You don’t have to make any big decisions yet, but the sooner you start thinking about what you’re interested in doing for a living, the easier your choices will be later on.

FOR COLLEGE?

Where are you headed after graduation? What do you have to do to get there? Don’t know where to start? You’re not alone! Read this booklet to get some good ideas about how to begin your journey. Then talk to your family and school counselor about your plan for college.

What’s in it for you? You’ll have the time to explore your interests, discover things you didn’t know and set new goals.

College is fun! You’ll meet interesting people and make new friends.

You’ll learn how to learn – how to think critically, solve problems and develop new skills.

A degree can take you out of a minimum-wage job and into a good-paying career you enjoy. Studies prove it: Continue your education after high school, and you’re likely to make more money and enjoy a better life.

GLO S SARY OKcollegestart.org is the official source for planning a college education in Oklahoma and offers advanced tools to help you prepare and pay for college. The website provides information on admission requirements, financial aid, college costs and more. You can search by keywords and receive personalized results to compare colleges.

If any of the terms used in this publication are unfamiliar to you, check out the glossary in the Prepare for College section under the College Planning tab at OKcollegestart.org.

LET'S TALK WITHOUT A DEGREE

GROSS PAY

$2,253month

Let’s say you decide to skip college and take a job as a data entry keyer. You’ll get paid about $13 an hour, which is approximately $1,739 a month or $20,868 per year in take-home pay.

less taxes, Social Security and Medicare TAKE-HOME PAY

$1,739month

In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, someone with a bachelor’s degree earns GROSS PAY about 50 percent more than someone with just a high month school diploma. That makes a less taxes, Social Security huge impact on your monthly and Medicare paycheck and can help you TAKE-HOME PAY afford the lifestyle you want.

WITH A DEGREE Now let’s say you take extra time to explore careers, go that extra mile and graduate from college with a degree in computer programming. As a computer programmer, you’ll make about $31 an hour. That’s $3,791 a month or $45,498 per year in take-home pay. Calculations made by surepayroll.com.

The more you learn, the more you can earn

$5,373

$3,791month

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What a difference a degree makes! Associate or Bachelor’s Degree

Hourly Wage

Moderate On-the-Job Experience

Hourly Wage

Computer Programmer

$32.54

Data Entry Keyer

$13.63

Architect or Engineer

$38.20

Construction Laborer

$14.12

Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist

$23.41

Veterinary Assistant

$11.28

Forensic Science Technician Preschool Teacher

$26.57

Security Guard

$13.52

(except Special Education)

(except Special Education)

$14.99

Child Care Worker

$9.21

Registered Nurse

$28.39

Nursing Assistant

$11.01

Source: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Oklahoma Wage Report 2015

To learn more about earning income and managing money, check out Oklahoma Money Matters (OKMM). OKMM offers information and resources to help students and parents prepare financially for college, strengthen family financial planning and empower young adults with money management skills for independent living. Visit OklahomaMoneyMatters.org or call 800.970.OKMM (6566).

Courses to take You must take certain courses in high school to graduate and for admission to an Oklahoma public college or university. These requirements will prepare you for college, and you’ll learn valuable skills in case you decide to get a job right out of high school.

For more information about the specific courses you must take to earn a “standard” high school diploma, visit OKcollegestart.org. Remember that requirements may change, and they may be different for private colleges and universities, so always check with your counselor for details.

CAREERS Want to investigate your skills and interests and explore career options that may be right for you? Check out the Career Planning tab at OKcollegestart.org.

SUBJECT

UNITS

English Mathematics Laboratory Science History and Citizenship Skills Other Total

4 units 3 units 3 units 3 units 2 units 15 units

Think AHEAD

A great way to speed up your college career is to consider earning college credit even before you graduate from high school – as early as your junior year. Taking advantage of opportunities such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses and concurrent enrollment can save you time, tuition, and room and board and will also prepare you for the demands of college. To learn more, visit OKcollegestart.org and ask your high school counselor what options are available at your school.

COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS For information about preparing for the ACT exam, visit act.org, or for information about preparing for the SAT exam, visit collegeboard.org.

Visit OKcollegestart.org to learn more about preparing for college entrance exams. Talk to your counselor about taking the ACT and SAT.

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Grades to make If you want to attend an Oklahoma college or university, you must meet certain requirements. When you apply for admission, public colleges and universities will look at… Your score on a national standardized test (ACT or SAT). Your overall grade point average (GPA) and ranking within your high school class OR Your GPA in the 15 core courses required for college entry.

• • •

For more informat ion about admission require ments, visit OKcollegest art.org, talk to your school coun selor or check with the co llege(s) you want to attend.

2017-18 Admission Standards for First-Time Entering Students Minimum High School Performance Criteria for Admission

1

Option 2

Option 3

24 ACT

3.0 GPA AND top 33%

3.0 GPA in 15-unit core AND 4 21 ACT

University of 3 Oklahoma

24 ACT AND 3.0 GPA or top 50%

4

3.0 GPA AND top 25%

No Option 3

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

24 ACT AND 3.0 GPA or top 50%

4

3.0 GPA AND top 25%

3.0 GPA in the 15-unit core 4 AND 22 ACT

2.7 GPA AND top 50% of class

2.7 GPA in 15-unit core

Option 1 Oklahoma State 2 University

4

Regional Universities Community Colleges

4

20 ACT

No minimum required. You don’t need to make certain scores, but you should take required high school classes AND graduate from an accredited high school or have a GED AND take the ACT exam.

1. Additional weighting (1.0) will be added to GPAs of students who take Advanced Placement and higher-level International Baccalaureate courses. 4

2. Students who score a 22 on the ACT or have an unweighted high school core curriculum GPA of at least 3.0 undergo a review of cognitive and noncognitive factors. Cognitive factors include noted academic admission standards; quality, quantity and level of course work throughout the entire high school program; completion of a progressively challenging math sequence, demonstrated by performance; and class rank taken in context with academic rigor and class size of high school attended. Noncognitive factors include positive self-concept, realistic self-appraisal, long-term goals, leadership experience, community and knowledge in an acquired field. Cognitive factors will be weighted at 60 percent and noncognitive at 40 percent. 3. Students who do not meet the option 1 or option 2 admission requirements are considered for admission through a holistic admission review and selection process. The holistic admission process considers several factors that predict academic success (high school GPA, high school course rigor, academic engagement, writing ability, leadership and ACT/ SAT scores). 4. As a result of recent changes to the SAT, please consult the institution you plan to attend to obtain information about using an SAT score to satisfy college admission requirements.

The choice

Choosing where to go to college is an important decision. The decision will affect your future and even your success as a student. Here are some things to think about.



Location – Are you willing to move away from home? Do you prefer a city or country setting? Type of school – Do you want to go to a large or small school? • Admission requirements – How are your grades and test scores? • • Academics – What do you want to study? • Financial aid – How much financial assistance do you need?

Can the campus provide you with aid (scholarships, part-time employment)?

• •

Housing – Where will you live? Do you want to live on campus?

Activities – What are your interests and hobbies? Which campus offers the best options for you?

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CAMPUS VISITS Still undecided about which college to attend? Schedule some college visits to the schools you might be interested in attending. These visits can help you make a more educated decision. While on your campus visits, talk to as many people as you can and don’t pass up a chance to ask questions. Use the Making the Most of Campus Visits tool found at UCanGo2.org/publications/HS to make your trip a success.

Types of schools and degrees RESEARCH UNIVERSITY: an institution that grants bachelor’s, graduate and professional degrees and offers a wide variety of courses and degree programs. Generally, they have large student bodies and expansive campuses.

CERTIFICATE: a credential awarded for an organized program of study that does not lead to an academic degree.

REGIONAL UNIVERSITY: an institution that offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and in some instances, associate or professional degrees. They tend to have mid-sized student populations and campuses. PUBLIC LIBERAL ARTS UNIVERSITY: an institution that grants bachelor’s degrees in arts and science fields, including humanities. A public liberal arts university tends to have smaller class sizes that facilitate close interaction between faculty and students.

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS (A.A.) OR ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE (A.S.) DEGREE: a degree awarded upon completion of two years of full-time college work (at least 60 credit hours). The State Regents recognize these two types of associate degrees that transfer to any university. ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE (A.A.S.) DEGREE: a degree requiring two years of fulltime college work (at least 60 credit hours) that emphasizes an occupational specialty and is designed to lead the individual directly to employment. Some A.A.S. degrees may lead to a Bachelor of Technology degree.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE: an institution that grants associate degrees for transfer to four-year institutions or for career preparation. They usually offer flexible class schedules with smaller class sizes. TECHNICAL BRANCH: an institution that grants applied associate degrees, some Bachelor of Technology degrees and a limited number of associate degrees for transfer to four-year institutions. Technical branches have a special emphasis on education and training in technical fields.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE: a degree requiring four years of full-time college work (at least 120 credit hours). The State Regents recognize three types of bachelor’s degrees – Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of (Specialty), such as Music, Engineering, etc.

Paying for college College costs vary; some institutions are more expensive than others, especially for out-of-state students. Fortunately, the cost of attending an Oklahoma public college or university is among the lowest in the nation. In addition, the availability of financial aid from various sources can make college even more affordable for qualified students.

2016-17 Estimated Average Costs for Resident Students at Oklahoma Public Colleges and Universities (30 credit hours)

Expenses

Research Universities

Regional Universities

Community Colleges

Technical Branches

Tuition

$4,759

$5,034

$2,941

$3,434

Mandatory Fees

$3,717

$1,394

$989

$991

Visit OKcollegestart.org and click How Much Does College Cost? on the Financial Aid 101 page under the Financial Aid Planning tab for a more detailed breakdown of costs, including room and board.

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Types of financial aid There are four different types of financial aid available: scholarships, grants, work-study and student loans. To learn more about financial aid, visit OKcollegestart.org.

What's the FAFSA? To apply for federal financial aid (grants, work-study and student loans), Oklahoma’s Promise and the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG), you and your parents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll need to have your parents’ tax return(s) – along with yours – to complete the FAFSA. Even if you don’t think you need financial

aid (or qualify for it), fill out the FAFSA anyway. Most students qualify for some form of federal financial aid! Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1 of your senior year and each year you need financial aid. Visit StartWithFAFSA.org to find FAFSA completion tools, including video tutorials available in English and Spanish.

Financial Aid Checklist Don’t wait. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1 of the year prior to every year you need financial aid. Many students don’t realize they may qualify for federal aid such as grants, scholarships, work-study or low-cost student loans. Learn more at FAFSA.gov. Explore OKcollegestart.org and UCanGo2.org to learn more about paying for college. Start researching the colleges you’re interested in and learn what types of financial aid they offer. Find out if scholarships are available in the field(s) you’re interested in and what the requirements are so you can plan early to apply. Scholarships are called “free money” because they don’t have to be paid back. Students earn scholarships based on financial need, grades, talents and life experiences. Ask family members to open an Oklahoma College Savings Plan account by calling 877.654.7284 or visiting ok4saving.org. OCSP offers tax advantages for families, and funds can be used at nearly all colleges and universities in the United States. Learn about the student financial aid application process and programs by calling or visiting the websites for the resources listed in this brochure.

Tips for scholarship success GO LOCAL. Many clubs, civic organizations and churches offer scholarships. If you aren’t sure, ask! Applying locally for scholarships means you’re competing against fewer people. DO THE “WRITE” THING. Many scholarships require an essay, but don’t let that discourage you. Scholarships that require essays have fewer applicants, which means you have a greater chance of winning the award.

DON’T MISS THE BOAT. Apply for as many scholarships as possible and keep track of the requirements for each one so you don’t miss out on free money by forgetting to include your transcript or submitting your application after the deadline. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Set up an appointment with your school counselor to talk about your scholarship options. Many colleges post available scholarships on their websites. Check with the school(s) you plan to attend to learn about scholarships they may offer.

Check out the Scholarship Success Guide under the Publications tab at UCanGo2.org.

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Junior Checklist

Senior Checklist

Take core classes that meet college entrance requirements. If you signed up for Oklahoma’s Promise in the eighth-10th grade, use the curriculum checklist at okpromise.org to keep track of your courses, continue to make good grades and stay out of trouble. Explore opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school, like concurrent enrollment and AP courses. Prepare to take ACT/SAT exams. You may want to take these more than once to raise your score. Visit OKcollegestart.org to take free practice exams. Attend college fairs in your area. When you narrow the list of schools you’re interested in, schedule campus visits. Review more detailed junior and senior checklists at UCanGo2.org/publications/HS.

In addition to the steps above, talk to your family and school counselor about your goals after high school. Research grants and scholarships available through your school, business community and local civic organizations. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1 of your senior year and prior to each year you need financial aid. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for most federal financial aid, including federal (and some state) grants and scholarships. Visit FAFSA.gov to request a Federal Student Aid ID and submit your FAFSA online. Submit admission and financial aid applications to the college(s) of your choice; pay close attention to deadlines. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the college(s) of your choice to make sure your information is correct; quickly return the form with any corrections. Respond quickly to any requests from colleges and universities for additional information.

College planning resources Remember, OKcollegestart.org is your one-stop shop for interactive college planning tools and information about career exploration, selecting a college or university, ACT/SAT test prep, financial aid and more. Open a free student account and find OKcollegestart.org on Facebook today! OKcollegestart.org or 800.858.1840 UCanGo2 provides valuable resources and information to demonstrate the value of higher education, inspire confidence to support academic achievement, and help students plan, prepare and pay for education after high school. Find UCanGo2 on Facebook today! UCanGo2.org or 866.443.7420 Ready Set Repay works with student loan borrowers and Oklahoma higher education institutions to help students make smart borrowing decisions and successfully repay their student loans. Learn more about student loan management at ReadySetRepay.org. Find Repayment Scoop on Facebook today! ReadySetRepay.org or 800.635.3743

College Questions Answered Promptly [email protected] ACT Financial Aid Need Estimator webapps01.act.org/fane/docs/ ACT Student Center actstudent.org Federal Student Aid studentaid.ed.gov

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) FAFSA.gov startwithfafsa.org Oklahoma GEAR UP okgearup.org Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG) otag.org

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OKLAHOMA PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Current as of September 2016

Research Universities 1. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater okstate.edu, 800.233.5019 2. OSU Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa healthsciences.okstate.edu, 800.677.1972 3. OSU-Tulsa osu-tulsa.okstate.edu, 800.364.0710 4. University of Oklahoma, Norman ou.edu, 800.234.6868 5. OU Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City ouhsc.edu, 877.577.5655 6. OU-Tulsa, ou.edu/tulsa, 918.660.3000

Regional Universities

19. Rogers State University, Claremore rsu.edu, 918.343.7777

36. Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa noc.edu, 580.628.6200

20. Rogers State University, Bartlesville rsu.edu/bartlesville, 918.338.8000

37. Northern Oklahoma College, Enid noc.edu/enid, 580.242.6300

21. Rogers State University, Pryor rsu.edu/pryor, 918.825.6117

38. Oklahoma City Community College occc.edu, 405.682.1611

22. Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant se.edu, 800.435.1327

39. Redlands Community College, El Reno redlandscc.edu, 866.415.6367

23. Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Idabel se.edu/mccurtain, 888.286.9431 24. Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford swosu.edu, 580.772.6611

7. Cameron University, Lawton cameron.edu, 888.454.7600

25. Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Sayre swosu.edu/sayre, 580.928.5533

8. Cameron University, Duncan cameron.edu/duncan, 877.282.3626

26. University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond uco.edu, 405.974.2000

9. East Central University, Ada ecok.edu, 580.332.8000

Public Liberal Arts University

10. Langston University, Langston langston.edu, 877.466.2231

27. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha usao.edu, 800.933.8726

11. Langston University, Tulsa langston.edu/tulsa, 918.877.8100 12. Northeastern State University, Tahlequah nsuok.edu, 800.722.9614 13. Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow nsuok.edu/brokenarrow.aspx, 918.449.6000 14. Northeastern State University, Muskogee nsuok.edu/muskogee, 918.683.0040 15. Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva nwosu.edu, 580.327.1700 16. Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid nwosu.edu/enid, 580.237.0334 17. Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Woodward nwosu.edu/woodward, 580.256.0047 18. Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell opsu.edu, 800.664.6778

Community Colleges 28. Carl Albert State College, Poteau carlalbert.edu, 918.647.1200 29. Carl Albert State College, Sallisaw carlalbert.edu, 918.775.6977 30. Connors State College, Warner connorsstate.edu, 918.463.2931 31. Connors State College, Muskogee connorsstate.edu, 918.687.6747 32. Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton eosc.edu, 918.465.2361

40. Rose State College, Midwest City rose.edu, 866.621.0987 41. Seminole State College, Seminole sscok.edu, 405.382.9950 42. Tulsa Community College tulsacc.edu, 918.595.7000 43. Western Oklahoma State College, Altus wosc.edu, 580.477.2000

Technical Branches 44. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee osuit.edu, 800.722.4471 45. Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City osuokc.edu, 800.560.4099

Higher Education Programs/Sites 46. Langston University,Oklahoma City langston.edu/okc/langston-okc, 405.962.1620 47. Northern Oklahoma College, Stillwater noc.edu/stillwater, 405.744.2246 48. University Center at Ponca City, ucponcacity.com, 580.718.5600 49. University Center of Southern Oklahoma, Ardmore ucso.osrhe.edu, 580.223.1441

33. Eastern Oklahoma State College, McAlester eosc.edu/mcalester, 918.426.5272 34. Murray State College, Tishomingo mscok.edu, 580.371.2371 35. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Miami neo.edu, 888.464.6636

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication, printed by University of Oklahoma Printing Services, is issued by the State Regents as authorized by 70 O.S. 2001, Section 3206. 105,000 copies have been printed at a cost of approximately $10,520. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. This publication was produced in September 2016.

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